Under the patronage of the President of Mongolia, the “Sun is Closer on the Camels” winter festival opened on 24 January 2026 in Mandalgovi, Dundgovi province. President U.Khurelsukh announced that 24 January will be celebrated each year as “Mongolian Camel Day.”
The two-day festival (24–25 January) drew a high-profile audience, including members of Parliament and Government, 23 ambassadors and diplomatic representatives, provincial governors and leaders of participating provinces, plus representatives of the Mongolian Camel Polo, Sports Racing and Travel Association and the Mongolian Camel Culture and Racing Association. Cultural performances at the opening included appearances by People’s Artist D.Jargalsaikhan, Honored Artist T.Ariunaa, the Mongolian State Academic Opera and Ballet Theatre’s exemplary orchestra, khuumii performers and artists from regional theatres.
Organisers said the festival attracted more than 1,000 participants and about 700 camels from 16 provinces, including Dundgovi, Umnugovi, Dornogovi, Govisumber, Govi-Altai, Bayankhongor, Uvurkhangai, Bayan-Ulgii, Dornod, Sukhbaatar, Tuv, Orkhon, Darkhan, Bulgan, Khovd and Uvs.
Officials described the event as a nationwide effort to preserve Mongolian camel traditions and culture, promote camel husbandry as an economic sector, and showcase traditional customs to younger generations and the wider public.
The festival’s programme includes camel racing and cultural competitions, forums on camel farming and product development, and performances that highlight regional artistic traditions.
Under the patronage of the President of Mongolia, the “Sun is Closer on the Camels” winter festival opened on 24 January 2026 in Mandalgovi, Dundgovi province. President U.Khurelsukh announced that 24 January will be celebrated each year as “Mongolian Camel Day.”
The two-day festival (24–25 January) drew a high-profile audience, including members of Parliament and Government, 23 ambassadors and diplomatic representatives, provincial governors and leaders of participating provinces, plus representatives of the Mongolian Camel Polo, Sports Racing and Travel Association and the Mongolian Camel Culture and Racing Association. Cultural performances at the opening included appearances by People’s Artist D.Jargalsaikhan, Honored Artist T.Ariunaa, the Mongolian State Academic Opera and Ballet Theatre’s exemplary orchestra, khuumii performers and artists from regional theatres.
Organisers said the festival attracted more than 1,000 participants and about 700 camels from 16 provinces, including Dundgovi, Umnugovi, Dornogovi, Govisumber, Govi-Altai, Bayankhongor, Uvurkhangai, Bayan-Ulgii, Dornod, Sukhbaatar, Tuv, Orkhon, Darkhan, Bulgan, Khovd and Uvs.
Officials described the event as a nationwide effort to preserve Mongolian camel traditions and culture, promote camel husbandry as an economic sector, and showcase traditional customs to younger generations and the wider public.
The festival’s programme includes camel racing and cultural competitions, forums on camel farming and product development, and performances that highlight regional artistic traditions.